About Lifesaving

Surf lifesavers are Australians for life. A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer that patrols our beaches on the weekends. They undertake a number of roles including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care and providing surf safety information to the public.

Becoming a surf lifesaver is satisfying, fun and rewarding. You can lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, become trained in aquatic safety skills, make new mates, compete in surf sports, and give something back to your local community. You may also help save someone’s life one day.

Patrols

Further information on patrols can be found by clicking onto the Patrol Tab. Members who are not allocated to a patrol should contact the Patrol Officer via the office admin@sorrentoslsc.org.au or lifesavingdirector@sorrentoslsc.org.au who will then allocate you to a patrol group. To be eligible for patrols, you must complete one of the awards below:

• Surf Rescue Certificates
• Bronze Medallion
• First Aid

If you would like to do any of these courses please go to our Education page for more information.

 

Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club Rescue Water Craft Capability

Background. In 2016, Rescue Water Craft (RWC) or jet skis were recognised by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA) as being a standard item of patrol equipment and were made available for use by clubs in routine patrol activities. Whilst not considered mandatory patrol equipment, they have now been introduced by the majority of clubs into patrol activities to extend services outside the flags and improve the resources available to patrols.

Wesfarmers Jet Ski Teams. Members of the Wesfarmers Jet Ski Teams are typically involved in providing patrol services at their club location and water safety services in association with club activities. These teams are managed by each club, including responsibility for the service roster of each team member.

As a resource, jet skis continue to prove themselves as a valuable lifesaving tool and across the state 18 Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSC) now have access to this equipment and over 120 members are endorsed RWC Operators.

What’s happening at Sorrento? Sorrento’s participation in the Wesfarmers Jet Ski Program is supported via a Memorandum of Understanding with SLSWA. In essence the arrangement is as follows:
• Sorrento SLSC will continue to commit the jet ski resource to any local lifesaving activity such as patrols, water safety or special events;
• SLSWA will coordinate the development of rosters and tasking to support operational activity such as water safety at surf sport events, abalone patrols or emergency response call outs for search and rescue tasking; and
• A pathway is established to support members in skill development and growth in operational capacity.

In 2020 the Sorrento SLSC RWC capability has greatly matured, with the qualification of nine new RWC Operators and the formation of a committed, responsible and cohesive team of 14 Operators. Our vision is to continue to grow and develop the group’s capabilities and contribution to lifesaving activities across the state and in particular, to encourage and support the qualification and inclusion of female team members.

The Sorrento RWC Team is led by RWC Coordinator, Damien Newbold and Lead Trainer, Richard Elderfield.

Over the coming season and in to the future, expect to see much more of the Sorrento RWC at our beach and in support of other SLSWA activities. We also aim to conduct RWC familiarisation with Sorrento patrols, including getting Bronzies out on the back of the jet ski for awareness sessions.

How do you become an RWC Operator? To operate an RWC, a person must have successfully completed the RWC Operator Course. The purpose of this course is to develop an individual’s skills and knowledge to safely and effectively drive an RWC. The course is challenging and requires a minimum of 20 hours of practical experience on the RWC, performing tasks to the standards required in a range of conditions.

At Sorrento, candidates for the course must meet ALL of the following conditions:
• Be at least 17 years of age to commence training;
• Be at least 18 years of age on the date of final assessment;
• Hold a Bronze Medallion;
• Hold a current, valid vehicle license with tow capacity;
• Hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST);
• Complete a 400m prequalification swim under 8 minutes;
• Complete the 200m Run / 200m Swim / 200m Run under 6 minutes; and
• An IRB Driver qualification is highly desirable, but not essential.

Like more information? If you have any further questions about the RWC capability, how it is operating at Sorrento or how to be part of the team in the future, please direct enquiries through the Lifesaving Director or speak informally to one of the team.

To find out more about what's involved, visit:
https://www.mybeach.com.au/members/join-the-wesfarmers-jet-ski-program/

Access your members portal here - https://members.sls.com.au/SLSA_Online/modules/login/index.php

In the members portal you can access your surf lifesaving records:

• Renew your membership and pay your fees

• Obtain a copy of your Awards List

• View your patrol team, patrol roster and completed hours

The portal also includes:

• File library with all important documents

• A central news and information area

• Forms and workflow area